-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A Nebraska `` hate crime '' that targeted an openly gay woman and that triggered responses from candlelight vigils locally to Facebook postings of support nationwide was staged by the alleged victim , authorities said Tuesday as they charged the woman with lying to police .

Charlie Rogers -- a former basketball player for the University of Nebraska who identifies herself as lesbian -- told police that three masked men entered her home on July 22 , stripped her , tied her down , and carved homophobic slurs into her body before attempting to set her and the house on fire .

But the Lincoln Police Department said Tuesday that `` the physical evidence conflicted with Charlie Rogers ' version of events '' and that `` extensive investigation revealed numerous inconsistencies . ''

Previously on CNN.com : Woman speaks out after alleged hate crime

Rogers was arrested Tuesday , police said .

Her attorney , Brett McArthur , told CNN Tuesday night that Rogers had agreed as part of an arrangement to turn herself in , in exchange for a personal recognizance bond .

`` She did not have to post any money '' to be released , McArthur said , adding that his client pleaded not guilty to the charge of lying to police .

`` She maintains her innocence . This has been kind of a kick in the gut as a victim to turn around and be charged , '' McArthur said .

In a news release , police cited DNA and pathologists ' examinations that did not substantiate Rogers ' original statements , and changes in her story during the investigation .

`` These were serious allegations that garnered national attention and spread fear among local citizens , '' the police statement said . `` A great deal of time and resources were spent investigating Charlie Rogers ' claims in hopes of identifying and arresting the three suspects in this case . ''

Beth Rigatuso , president of Heartland Pride based in Omaha , organized a vigil that attracted over 1,000 people in the aftermath of the reported attack .

For her , the news that it may have been a hoax is `` a pretty big blow . ''

`` I do n't feel betrayed as much as I feel sad for how , if this is really true ... there is a lot of things going on with her , '' Rigatuso said . `` It leads to a bigger problem in our society that someone would do this . ''

Rigatuso said she hopes people would not turn their backs on Rogers now .

The vigil she put together in Omaha raised more than $ 1,800 , all of which was deposited in an account for Rogers .

`` We 'd like to get the funds returned to us so we can establish our own fund to support victims of anti-gay violence . '' Rigatuso said Tuesday .

McArthur , Rogers ' attorney , said he `` knows nothing '' about the fund or how much money might be in it . He said it was in place before he became Rogers ' lawyer .

According to the Lincoln Police Department complaint , Rogers , 33 , provided information `` she knew to be false '' with the intent to `` instigate an investigation of an alleged criminal matter . ''

Rogers reported to police that she was lying on her bed when the alleged attackers held her down and carved `` derogatory words '' into her arms and abdomen and `` a cross '' in her chest . She told police she was then rolled onto her stomach where more cuts were made .

But according to a deposition from Lincoln police investigator Lynette Russell filed as part of the complaint , Rogers bedspread was `` evenly placed on the bed and no apparent sign of a struggle . '' A DNA lab test found no evidence of blood on the bedspread .

Russell also described a pair of white gloves found at the scene that Rogers had said were not hers .

`` Ms. Rogers DNA profile was the major contributor to the DNA located on the inside of the gloves , '' Russell said .

Furthermore , the deposition said , the FBI sent photos of Rogers ' cuts to a forensic pathologist , who believed the wounds to be self-inflicted .

`` This opinion is based partially on the fact that the cuts appeared superficial and symmetrical , avoided sensitive areas of the body , ... are accessible to the victim and follow the victim 's frame of reference for reading and writing , '' the deposition said .

Rumors had been circulating in recent weeks in Lincoln and on the Internet due to the fact that police had yet to pinpoint any suspects . The urge to respond to rumors prompted Rogers to give her one and only interview .

`` For people to think this does n't happen here , it does , '' Rogers told CNN affiliate KETV on July 27 . `` It did . ''

She refused to discuss the incident itself during that interview .

Rogers ' attorney at the time , Megan Mikolajczyk , told CNN her client was ready for a full interview early last week , but canceled saying `` things have changed . ''

Mikolajczyk said Tuesday that she is no longer Rogers ' attorney .

According to neighbor Linda Rappl , Rogers ' showed up on her doorstep bloodied in the early morning hours immediately following the alleged attack last month .

`` I was in shock , '' Rappl said soon after the incident . `` She was naked , her hands were tied with zip ties . All I could see was a cut across her forehead and blood running down . ''

Rappl said she took the sobbing Rogers inside and wrapped her in a blanket before calling 911 .

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NEW : The woman pleads not guilty to lying to police , her attorney says

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NEW : `` This has been kind of a kick in the gut as a victim to ... be charged , '' lawyer says

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Charlie Rogers told police she was attacked in her home last month

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Authorities now say the incident was staged